Aim- To compare the diagnostic accuracy of conventional intraoral periapical radiograph and digital radiovisiograph (RVG) in detecting interdental alveolar bone loss in chronic periodontitis cases. Materials and method- 30 subjects have been enrolled who voluntarily signed an informed consent after obtaining institutional ethical committee clearance. Patients were informed about the objectives of the study and explained about the benefits and risks involved. 240 inter-dental sites were considered for the study. The sites included distal, mesial surfaces of the mandibular first molar, maxillary first molar, mandibular first and second premolar maxillary first and second premolar. Patients having generalized mild to severe chronic periodontitis as assessed by measuring attachment loss and categorized as mild: 1-2 mm, moderate: 3-4 mm, severe: ≥ 5 mm. Result –Comparison of conventional and digital radiographic techniques in left maxilla, left and right mandible, and between maxilla and mandible in the total sample and in female ,male yielded no significant correlation ,while comparison of the two techniques in in detecting interdental alveolar bone loss in chronic periodontitis cases yields significant difference. Conclusion-Direct digital radiography provides an edge over conventional radiography in assessing the periodontal bone destruction in chronic periodontitis.

Alveolar bone level, conventional intraoral bitewing radiographs, direct digital radiography, periodontal disease.